Ringmer Park, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8

Classic grandeur: A substantial William & Mary style country house with wonderful landscaped gardens

Description

Ringmer Park is situated within the South Downs National Park and has direct and unspoiled views of the nearby South Downs to the South and over a wide angle

An imposing property, built in the mid-1930s to a high standard with quality brickwork, flooring and decorative detailing, on the site of another country house and modelled on the grand and elegant proportions of a William and Mary country house.

It is believed to draw inspiration, both externally and internally from historic Grade 1 listed Malling House in Lewes, and has beautiful red brick elevations under a clay tiled roof, with a string course, symmetrical sash windows, and an elegant front door with an arched portico and pilasters.

The property offers an exceptional footprint and versatile layout, with a wealth of beautiful period details and superb far-reaching views to the South Downs.

The elegant principal reception rooms are arranged on the southern elevation, and all benefit from far-reaching views over the grounds and adjoining farmland to the South Downs.

The grand drawing room is almost 47’, with elaborate decorative coving and five sets of sash windows, of which three open to the ground, with panelled doors below, opening to give access to the south-facing terrace and creating an excellent flow between inside and out. The room is ideal for entertaining, with a sprung floor; its western end was created as a music room, and has acoustic padding for concerts and recitals.

Double interconnecting doors open to a further reception room currently used as a study. The dual aspect dining room completes what is an exceptional suite of rooms for entertaining. In addition, at the front of the house is a less formal, book-lined television room, ideal for informal day to day use, and an office.

The kitchen/breakfast/family room has fine proportions, including a generous space for children to play and for informal family and guest entertaining. The kitchen is supported by a utility room (with safe), a boot room, larder and, outside, a climate controlled wine store.

On the first floor, the principal suite has a dual aspect, showcasing the spectacular views. It has built in wardrobes to the bedroom and in the spacious dressing room, and is served by an en suite bathroom. There are two further bedrooms, both with en suite bathrooms, and and an additional double bedroom served by a family bathroom on the first floor. To the second floor are two further bedroom suites, both benefiting from the glorious views.

Also on the second floor is a staff apartment comprising a bed sitting room, small kitchen and bathroom with shower and WC with its own independent hot water and heating.

Ringmer Park enjoys a grand approach via a long tree-lined private driveway, which opens out to a carriage drive with a central lawn ahead of the house.

The property has an extensive range of outbuildings, and of these most substantial is The Brick Barn, an attractive attached barn. It is currently used for garaging but offers potential for conversion to accommodation or office use over two floors, subject to the necessary planning consents.
The Garden Store is a further substantial barn, open on one side to provide wood and garden equipment storage, with a potting shed and an attached mower shed of brick construction.

Leisure facilities include a heated outdoor swimming pool situated below the kitchen, in a sheltered spot. The pool has an electric cover, heat pump, and a dedicated shower room and WC. There is also a hard tennis court and stabling for two horses.

The gardens are a particularly fine feature of the property: their creation has been the principal recreation of the owners over the 40 years they have lived here.

Approaching eight acres in all, they have been beautifully landscaped into distinct sections including a white garden surrounding a deep pond, a wisteria and rose pergola walkway, a breeze house and water features.

This garden can be viewed on the internet at and whilst it is no longer open to the public in has in the past attracted regular visitors. It is supported by four greenhouses, extensive cold frames and a brick tool shed.

Lying over the track are two paddocks, suitable for grazing and covering an area comprising 6.47 acres.

In all about 14.08 acres

Location

Situated in a rural position on the outskirts of the village of Ringmer, only 2.8 miles from the beautiful and historic County Town of Lewes and with the vibrant coastal City of Brighton and Hove just 12 miles away. Ringmer has a number of village amenities and services including village shops; Lewes offers a comprehensive range of high street and independent shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities.
Sussex offers excellent leisure and sporting facilities, with many opportunities for golf, walking (in particular along the South Downs Way) and equestrian pursuits locally, including regular meets at Plumpton Racecourse, as well as Brighton Racecourse. Also at Brighton is the Marina and Brighton Stadium, home to Brighton Albion.
There is a thriving cultural scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events. Charleston Farmhouse, with its links to the Bloomsbury artistic and literary sets, is home to the Charleston Literary Festival.
Although set within a glorious rural location the area has good road and rail communications. The A27 accessed at Lewes links to the A/M23 and on to the national motorway network. Gatwick Airport 28 miles; Central London 64 miles. There is a mainline railway station in Lewes which offers services to London Victoria from just over one hour. Ferry services to Dieppe are available from Newhaven.
There are many highly regarded schools in the area including Barcombe Primary School, Cumnor House School, Great Walstead, Ardingly, Eastbourne, Hurstpierpoint, Lancing and Brighton Colleges, Lewes Old Grammar School, Burgess Hill Girls and Roedean.

Square Footage: 8,661 sq ft


Acreage: 14.08 Acres

Directions



Additional Info

Services: Oil-fired central heating (electric heating to second floor). Mains electricity and water. Private drainage (cess pool). The ground floor benefits from a space beneath to allow artisans to access to water, sewage and electricity. Security Systems (further detail available upon request).

Outgoings: Lewes District Council, .

Planning: SDNP Authority.